the seed
& the sowers
Gazing out of their church office window to a professional arts building across the way, two young pastors imagined a place where people could go to find healing and hope in a loving, professional atmosphere. The two pastors, Dr. William Enright and Dr. Charles Alcorn, were serving the First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn at the time. Their decision to pursue the idea in earnest came with their congregation’s blessing and eventual formation of a “Living Mission Fund.” This fund and a subsequent endowment led to the Center’s start-up. Seven other local churches and parishes soon joined in support.
So in the fall of 1976, with a few pieces of hand-me-down furniture and the use of an office in the basement of the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, the Central DuPage Pastoral Counseling Center officially opened its doors. Dr. Charles Alcorn served as the Center’s first executive director.
As our staff grew and the number of clients we served increased, additional office space became a critical need. Our search was ended in 1992 when the First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton graciously offered to house our offices in their unused Manse. The Manse was a lovely, home-like setting that fit us well. During our seven years there, we expanded our educational services with unique and creative programing while also growing our clinical services to include internships for student therapists. Our affiliations with local churches also grew to include more than 25 Catholic and Protestant congregations.
In 1999, we learned that the Manse was scheduled to be raised as part of a major expansion project by the church, generating the need once more for new office space. When no suitable space materialized, the board and staff began to consider the only option left – to purchase a commercial property. With the aid and support of our affiliate churches and members of the community, we were able to purchase space in the Mona Kea office complex. In the spring of 1999, the Center moved into its first permanent home.
deeply rooted
firmly established
Now, years later, we look back on our relocation “crisis” as the blessing that helped secure our future. It was during this time that the Center’s endowment was established through the DuPage Foundation, which continues to strengthen the Center and secure its future.
In 2006, after 30 years at the helm, Dr. Alcorn stepped down from his role as executive director to take up the challenge of growing the Center’s endowment. He was followed by Dr. James Natter, who served as our second executive director until 2021 when Dr. Nancy Cochran, stepped into that role until 2024 when she retired to private practice. In the interim, Derrick Smith took on the responsibility of practice manager. Today, we begin a new chapter as we celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2026 and new leadership under Dr. Genalin Niere-Metcalf. With her appointment as executive director, Dr. Niere-Metcalf will play a key role in launcing the Center into its next semi-centential with strength, vision and initiative!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jer 29:11
Our Affiliates
First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn
535 Forest Ave – Glen Ellyn
630-469-3096
First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton
715 Carlton – Wheaton
630-668-5147
Glen Ellyn Evangelical Covenant Church
277 Hawthorne – Glen Ellyn
630-469-5405
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
802 E. Geneva Rd – Wheaton
630-665-1515
Peace Lutheran Church
21W500 Butterfield Rd – Lombard
630-627-1101
St. Michael Catholic Church
310 S. Wheaton Ave – Wheaton
630-665-2250
St. Petronille Parish
420 Glenwood – Glen Ellyn
630-469-0404
Trinity Episcopal Church
130 N. West St – Wheaton
630-665-1101
Our Associates
Christ Community Church
602 E. Geneva Rd – Wheaton
630-665-2259
Corpus Christi Catholic Church
1415 Lies Road – Carol Stream
630-483-4673
St. Daniel the Prophet Church
101 West Loop Rd – Wheaton
630-682-5003
St. James the Apostle Catholic Church
480 S. Park Blvd – Glen Ellyn
630-469-7540
St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church
0S233 Church St – Winfield
630-668-0918
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
393 Main St – Glen Ellyn
630-858-1020
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
331 W. George St – West Chicago
630-231-1175
Our Board:
Father Larry Brunette
Member-at-Large
Father Larry Brunette brings a profound perspective to the Central DuPage Pastoral Counseling Center (CDPCC) board, blending a lifelong career in technology and sales with over a quarter-century of dedicated ministry. His connection to the Center spans more than 12 years, beginning through a friendship with Dr. Charles Alcorn, which saw Father Larry offering the invocation at the Center’s annual fundraiser at the Morton Arboretum.
A “second career” priest, Father Larry entered the seminary following a 32-year marriage and the passing of his wife, fulfilling a childhood dream. Since his ordination 26 years ago, he has served extensively within the Diocese of Joliet. Now in semi-retirement, he remains a vital presence in the Eastern DuPage Deanery, assisting Catholic churches throughout the Wheaton area with the celebration of sacraments. His leadership experience includes serving as Pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in Granite City, where he presided over the School Board and Parish Council, and his landmark participation in the Collinsville Ministerial Alliance, where he was the first Catholic priest selected to deliver the city-wide Thanksgiving message.
Before answering his call to the priesthood, Father Larry spent over three decades as a leader in the computer and software industries. His secular career highlights include:
- Director of Data Processing for Springfield Public Schools.
- District Manager at NCR, where he was consistently recognized for exceeding national sales quotas.
- Regional Manager for CAI, leading large-scale sales seminars for mainframe software across the United States.
- Vice President of Sales for an agricultural software firm.
Father Larry’s unique background allows him to bridge the gap between high-level business strategy and the compassionate needs of pastoral care. He is honored to serve on the board, driven by his long-standing respect for the Center’s leadership and its mission to provide healing and guidance to the community.
Ann Flansburg, Treasurer
First Presbyterian Church, Wheaton
Lora Schofield Ilhardt, Secretary
First Congregational Church, Glen Ellyn
Lora has been a member of First Congregational for over 25 years and is very active in the music programs there as a harpist, guitarist, and a member of the choir and the recorder group. She majored in music at Middlebury College, but then completely changed direction and attended Harvard Law School to practice law. She has worked as an attorney at Chapman and Cutler in Chicago and also Sara Lee Corporation.
Lora lives with her husband in Glen Ellyn and has three grown sons and a daughter. She also works at the Glen Ellyn Walk-in Ministry.
Doug Purdue
Member-at-large
Doug brings valuable operational and financial experience to the Central DuPage Pastoral Counseling Center (CDPCC) Board of Directors. With a career spent in corporate finance and organizational leadership, he has developed a practical understanding of how strong internal systems support mission‑driven work.
Doug’s background includes experience in managing complex budgets, strengthening operational processes, and supporting effective human resources practices. He has worked extensively with organizations to improve efficiency, support staff needs, and ensure long‑term financial stability.
In his role on the board, Doug is committed to helping CDPCC maintain a solid financial foundation so its clinical team can continue providing high‑quality care. He focuses on transparency, thoughtful stewardship of resources, and aligning operations with the Center’s mission.
A long‑time resident of the western suburbs, Doug cares deeply about the wellbeing of the local community. He is grateful for the opportunity to support CDPCC as it continues to expand access to essential mental health and pastoral counseling services.
Erik R. Peterson, Chair
First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn
Erik has served as the Chairman of the Board for the Central DuPage Pastoral Counseling Center (CDPCC) since March 2021. In this role, he provides the strategic vision and governance necessary to ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability and community impact.
Erik is a dynamic strategic leader with a proven track record of driving growth through data-driven marketing and performance optimization. With over 20 years of experience blending behavioral science with business strategy, he excels at leading cross-functional teams to improve ROI and scale organizational impact. A specialist in high-level corporate strategy and operational excellence, Erik bridges the gap between innovative business thinking and compassionate community leadership to deliver measurable, impactful results.
Erik’s commitment to the DuPage County area is rooted in decades of community service:
- Church Governance: A seasoned leader within the Presbyterian tradition, Erik has served as an Elder for many years, notably co-leading the Missions Council to manage significant budgets for local and global outreach.
- Civic & Social Action: As a co-founder of “One Community,” Erik has been a vocal advocate for celebrating diversity and fostering cultural acceptance. His local involvement also extends to the Forest Preserve District and various community arts initiatives.
- Philanthropy: He has consistently leveraged his marketing and technology expertise to support local organizations, including DuPage PADS and Community Arts Partners.
A resident of the Wheaton and Glen Ellyn area since 1996, Erik is also a passionate fine art photographer who focuses on capturing the divine artistry found in nature and historical architecture. He and his wife enjoy traveling and spending time with their two adult children and two grandchildren. Erik’s unique ability to bridge high-level corporate strategy with compassionate community leadership makes him a vital asset to the CDPCC’s mission of healing and hope.
Diane Slocum
First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton, 2024
Reverend Diane Slocum has been a resident of Wheaton since 1978. After working in the elementary school system for five years, and then being a stay-at-home mom to her four children for 13 years, she was hired as director of youth ministries at First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton where she ultimately discerned a call to full time ministry, receiving her Master of Divinity Degree in 2008.
Diane is a certified Stephen Minister and has facilitated grief and cancer support groups at First Pres Wheaton. She also volunteers regularly at the Outreach Community Food Pantry, works in the church office at First Pres Wheaton, hosts a monthly support group for other women seeking to explore meaningful topics on what it means to live out our faith in an ever changing and complex world, and is an active and very grateful grandmother to her 9 grandchildren who all live in the area.
After the death of her husband of 45 years in 2021, Diane has embarked on this new journey of both grieving and healing from her excruciating loss, while embracing new paths and opportunities that our loving and gracious God continues to place before her; one of which is being asked to serve on this wonderful board. She looks forward to being a pastoral liaison between CDPCC and area churches.
D. Matthew Stremel
First Presbyterian Church, Wheaton
Matthew joins the Central DuPage Pastoral Counseling Center (CDPCC) Board with a lifelong commitment to the Presbyterian tradition and a sophisticated background in global strategic consulting. A “cradle Presbyterian” who was ordained as an Elder at age 17, Matthew has spent decades in service to the church, including his current 15-year tenure as the Clerk of Session at First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton.
His extensive leadership within the Chicago Presbytery has provided him with a unique vantage point on the human condition. Having navigated complex institutional challenges and witnessed the vital need for mental health support within faith communities, Matthew was drawn to CDPCC’s mission to integrate professional counseling with a lens of pastoral care. He is particularly interested in how the Center supports clergy who, while skilled in spiritual guidance, often require professional partners to address deep-seated interpersonal and mental health needs.
Professionally, Matthew recently retired from a distinguished career in management and technology consulting. After earning an MA in Cognitive Development from Bowling Green State University, he held executive roles at organizations including AT&T, EY, and IBM. In his final role at IBM, he served as the worldwide leader of client engagement for the insurance industry, advising C-suite executives globally on the strategic use of AI, data, and machine learning to drive organizational value.
Matthew is eager to apply this business acumen—honed over 30 years of navigating complex global markets—to help CDPCC strengthen its strategic and operational foundations.
A resident of the community for many years, Matthew is an active traveler, gardener, and creative artist. He is also the founder of “ROMEOs” (Retired Old Men Eating Out), a social initiative designed to help retired men build meaningful new friendships. He and his wife of nearly 40 years reside in the area and enjoy spending time with their two adult children and two grandchildren.
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